No cool ride this summer as MTC’s Volvo fleet not fully fit

Sources said, the MTC had procured 100 AC buses a few years ago and were operating them in various routes. However, citing losses, the officials gradually suspended most of the services. Only a minimum number of AC buses were operated on long-routes. 

As years passed, over 50 percent of the AC buses became unfit as the officials failed to take up periodical maintenance works. The MTC has only 25 AC buses fit for operations and are struggling to find parts for the remaining 75. 

In a last-ditch effort to meet the demand, the officials have asked the technicians to dismantle the unfit buses for parts so that at least 50 of these Volvos can be operated on important routes. 

A technician, on conditions of anonymity said, “Around 50 AC buses are completely unfit. We were instructed to make the remaining 50 buses fit for service, but parts were not available. When we informed this to our operation wing, they simply told us to dismantle the unfit buses and use parts from them to make the remaining vehicles ready for operations.” 

An activist from a city based transport organisation said, “It is a pity that the MTC officials are not operating AC buses during the summer. This is the perfect time for such services and for the corporation to earn some good revenue.” 

However, a senior MTC official, on condition of anonymity, denied that they had asked the technicians to use parts from unfit buses to make other buses ready for operations. “We have sent details to the concerned company seeking parts and will undertake repair works on the AC buses soon. Ware planning to operate at least 70 AC buses by the end of April,” he said. 

The officials also added that the corporation would send yet another proposal to the government to purchase new AC buses.